Austin, Texas holds the title of ‘Live Music Capital of the World’, but the rising cost of living is driving many musicians out of the city.
A recent survey found that about 38% of musicians are struggling to pay their rent or mortgage.
“As rents rise, more and more artists will be evicted,” bassist Christopher Alexander, who was forced to find a new place to live after his rent rose nearly $500, told KXAN. “I think our rent ended up being $2,800 after all that was said.”
This survey, Austin Music 2022, sought to understand “what it is like to work in Austin’s music ecosystem.”
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About 27% of musicians live outside Austin. Of those remaining in the city, less than two out of three said they were confident they could stay for the next three years.
About 2,260 musicians took part in the survey, answering 85 questions about their employment status, health status, demographics, and more.
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The full findings of the study will be presented to community organizers who helped conduct it later this month, Austin Monitor reports.